I am really starting to hate these walled off silos generated by the different mobile OS platforms. I know it spurs innovation and competition, but I'd like to keep my Android phone and have it integrate with my Xbox.

Walled gardens are here to stay. Apple started it and it is now the standard for the mobile industry.

It is one thing for Microsoft to look the other way as Android developers use public Web Services to allow people to log into Xbox.xom. They will not allow that for Xbox content. You MUST have Windows Phone to access all that content and applications.

Walled gardens are here to stay. Apple started it and it is now the standard for the mobile industry.

It is one thing for Microsoft to look the other way as Android developers use public Web Services to allow people to log into Xbox.xom. They will not allow that for Xbox content. You MUST have Windows Phone to access all that content and applications.

I don't think that will always be the case. In the early years of personal computing, there was very little cross functioning between different computer makers. It took a while for a power player to reach mass adoption with Windows, but it let several hardware makers make PCs that could utilize a wide array of software. We're seeing the same thing with mobile phones right now, but it doesn't mean it will stay that way forever.

Not to beat a dead horse but, I just think some of you are wrong about the potential for cross-platform support. The mobile industry is a different beast then the early days of PCs, I don't think this segregation will end anytime soon. Right now, MS is struggling to make WP7 relevant and one of its bestselling features is Xbox integration. This alone almost got me to buy a WP7 device but, there were some iPhone apps not on WP7 that I can't do without so, I stayed with the iPhone. My point, MS will not bring Xbox integration to other smartphones (not anytime soon at least) because it would eliminate one of WP7's advantages.

As mentioned in the previous post about the Microsoft/Verizon partnership, you'll be able to watch 26 channels on the game console. A screenshot of the Verizon app that you'll need to download is above and a full list of the channels available at launch follows:

To access the service customers will need to subscribe to both FiOS TV and FiOS Internet and be Xbox LIVE Gold members. The service, will require downloading a free app for the Xbox 360, will also support Kinect voice and gesture controls.

Verizon is also kicking off a new package for people wanting to switch over to their service. The offer includes triple-play service with FiOS TV, FiOS 35/35 Mbps Internet service and Verizon voice service, starting at $89.99 a month. The offer also includes a 12-month Xbox LIVE Gold Membership and the "Xbox Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary" game. It is available through Jan. 21.

Sounds like a good deal. You get the TV, the Internet service, a year of XBL Gold, and Halo Anniversary!

This is great news...however, it's a shame no one at Verizon called the customer service reps! As an existing FIOS customer and as described in the press release below, I called Verizon to order the Xbox app.

Here's the full rundown of the partnerships (existing and new) for all countries. The list includes some heavy hitters like Bravo, Comcast, HBO GO, Verizon FiOS and Syfy in the U.S. They will start hitting consoles worldwide this holiday.
What we still don't know, based on the single post on the Xbox.com Major Nelson blog post, is how exactly this content will show up on the console.

On their own blog, Verizon says the deal is in line with their business of "breaking down old technology boundaries to create a borderless world..."

"We've announced that we are now collaborating with Microsoft to soon deliver a great selection of live, FiOS TV channels over the Xbox Entertainment System," wrote Verizon's Bobbi Henson. "What really makes this exciting is that this innovative, new service will integrate live, multi-channel streaming HD TV and Kinect voice and gesture commands via the Xbox."

That certainly sounds like IPTV. Verizon says they plan to offer the service in time for the holiday season to customers who subscribe to both FIOS TV, FIOS Internet and have an Xbox Live Gold membership. That's a whole lotta subscriptions for one thing. More details from Verizon are promised as the launch date approaches.

"By bringing the technologically advanced Verizon FiOS TV service to Xbox 360 and Kinect, we are advancing our vision to provide the best in entertainment in extraordinary new ways," said Tom Gibbons, corporate vice president of the TV & Service Business for the Interactive Entertainment Business at Microsoft. "Xbox 360 brings all your entertainment, friends and family together in one place, and we look forward to introducing Verizon FiOS TV to the console this holiday."

Comcast, on their blog, says the content will be bringing to the Xbox 360 will essentially be what iPhone, iPad and PC owners can already access through the company's Xfinity app. So basically on free on demand content. (You can see that GUI here.)

a la carte programming would be ideal. but these media companies don't want to be cut out of the equation. they already feel that things like Netflix and Redbox are undermining the "value" of their products.

This is great news...however, it's a shame no one at Verizon called the customer service reps! As an existing FIOS customer and as described in the press release below, I called Verizon to order the Xbox app.

It specifically states, "Call now to add an Xbox to your current service. Or, if you’re a new customer, you can sign up online here and take advantage of a special offer..."

The rep had no idea what I was talking about! She almost transferred my call to technical support because she thought I was having problems connecting my Xbox to the internet. Duh!

You can't download the new Xbox app yet because you need the new dashboard in order to run it, I assume. I'm sure Verizon is pressuring MS to release the dash ASAP because Verizon wants to get people to sign up for the holidays.

·EPIX. United States
·ESPN on Xbox LIVE (ESPN). United States
·Hulu. Japan
·Hulu Plus. United States
·LOVEFiLM. United Kingdom
·Netflix. Canada, United States
·Premium Play by (MediaSet). Italy
·Sky Go (SkyDE). Austria, Germany
·Telefónica España - Movistar Imagenio. Spain
·TODAY (MSNBC). United States

•Weapon and vehicle spawn locations for Matchmaking and Firefight games.
•Health pack locations.
•Near-real-time locations for weapons and vehicles during Custom Multiplayer games.
•Your location and that of your team members displayed on the map.
•‘Follow me’ mode to track your movement.
•Dynamic player list, including current score for the teams and each player and equipped weapon for you and your teammates.

Weapon and vehicle spawn locations for Matchmaking and Firefight games.
Health pack locations.
Near-real-time locations for weapons and vehicles during Custom Multiplayer games.
Your location and that of your team members displayed on the map.
Follow me' mode to track your movement.
Dynamic player list, including current score for the teams and each player and equipped weapon for you and your teammates.

now if they had this for other games like Gears of War, then I'd be interested!!!

I remember back in the day of them talking about using the Atari Lynx has a secondary screen with map information, etc. with the Atari Jaguar. But then Atari died before it was implemented.

•Weapon and vehicle spawn locations for Matchmaking and Firefight games.
•Health pack locations.
•Near-real-time locations for weapons and vehicles during Custom Multiplayer games.
•Your location and that of your team members displayed on the map.
•‘Follow me’ mode to track your movement.
•Dynamic player list, including current score for the teams and each player and equipped weapon for you and your teammates.

Well the geniuses at microsoft have put this on android and ios as well, seems the whole "you can only get Xbox integration on WP7" has been chucked out the window so don't count on this or any future integration as a reason to buy a Windows phone.

Quick example: try setting a beacon for a game on a WP7 device and an iphone and compare the differences.

Well the geniuses at microsoft have put this on android and ios as well, seems the whole "you can only get Xbox integration on WP7" has been chucked out the window so don't count on this or any future integration as a reason to buy a Windows phone.

Quick example: try setting a beacon for a game on a WP7 device and an iphone and compare the differences.

the app you get on iOS is not the same as you get for Windows Phone. With WP7, you can actually control the Xbox in addition to all the other stuff.

Microsoft Corp. is seeking to hire a television executive to develop original shows as part of a drive to expand its Xbox Live game and video service, according to people with knowledge of the company’s plans.

Microsoft has hired Tom Schneider, a partner at Stratis LLC, to conduct the search, said the people, who weren’t authorized to speak publicly. Two former NBC executives, Marc Graboff and Jeff Gaspin, have been approached, they said.

Before anyone gets too far ahead of themselves...

Quote:

Microsoft is only interested in making a hire if it can find the right person and it’s possible no one will be chosen for the job, one of the people said.

great article detailing the mess that happened with the last UFC event but also detailing how the UFC app functions when it works well. I know I was one of the guys in the mass rush trying to get into the app when the twitter feeds said "5000 free tickets left, get in fast!".

I asked Microsoft for the reasons behind the problems, and here is the official response from a spokesperson (at least those affected will get a make-up event purchase in the future):

"The broadcast of UFC 141 through the UFC for Xbox LIVE application was hampered by technical issues appearing in the hours leading up to the fight. Despite restoring service to some users during the course of UFC 141, there is a great deal of room for improvement. All 30,00 users who registered to view UFC 141 for free will be provided access to a future fight at no cost.

"We want to ensure that the 30,000 giveaway recipients for UFC 141 have an optimal experience with UFC on Xbox LIVE, and we are currently working with our partners at the UFC to ensure we deliver just that. The gamertags of the 30,000 users who registered for UFC 141 are being safely kept on file for free access to a future UFC event, and we will have more updates to share in the near future."

I actually hate that app design.... well I hate all apps that don't follow the metro dashboard layout (espn and netflix).

That was always the best thing xbox did over most devices was kept a consistent user interface and now it looks like apps can do whatever the hell they want. Maybe we will get lucky and the will finally do that zune video pass and I can drop netflix from the list leaving only espn as a regularly used app that does not adhere to the metro dashboard.

the article suggests that the new Xbox will have DVR capability. but if you look at the patent, it says triple core processor with 6 threads which is the current 360. would make sense with all the TV apps.

now, on my current desktop PC, I have a Hauppauge tuner card that can record 2 ATSC shows at once with nearly no CPU usage since all the work is offloaded to the Hauppauge card. I can be running any application without worrying about the recordings affecting my work or gaming. Does the 360 have any dedicated hardware to encode in real time with minimal impact to the system?

I think the Kotaku article does not really make it clear that Microsoft applied for this patent in 2007. So it could be coming for the next generation or it could have been something to cover the basis for something they were thinking about for the 360.

this is UFC trying to stay consistent with their UFC.com design. here it is on UFC.com:

That was the excuse they gave for netflix too (looks more like their website). I still would prefer ms to mandate apps have the metro tile interface. That one still kind of does but its not very close to apps that do (hulu, youtube, etc)